My Treasure Coast Now and Out2News Spotlight Racquets for Recovery

The Mark Garwood SHARE Foundation hosted its second annual Racquets For Recovery Tennis and Pickleball Tournament at North River Shores Tennis Club in Stuart on April 30.

The tennis tournament was presented by Rick Carroll Insurance and the Scarbrough Financial Group in Atlanta, while the Pickleball Tournament was presented by the Children’s Foundation of Detroit. The event raised enough money to allow the foundation to award five additional scholarships.

Women’s and men’s doubles tennis and pickleball produced a fun day of spirited and friendly competition. At mid-day, a delicious south-of-the-border lunch buffet was served to the 200 players, sponsors and spectators in attendance.

Stuart residents Erica and John Garwood spoke about the devastating loss of their 24-year-old son, Mark, after his battle with substance use disorder. To honor Mark’s memory and help other young adults in recovery, the Garwoods created the Mark Garwood SHARE Foundation.

Phoenix Scholarship recipient Lorriane DeAmicis shared her inspiring journey from addiction to sobriety and how the Mark Garwood SHARE Foundation Phoenix Scholarship has allowed her to continue her education, as well as offering her new friendships, a support system, and unconditional love - in addition to the much-needed help financial assistance for tuition and books. A video of the Garwoods’ and Lorraine’s comments can be viewed at www.racquetsforrecovery.org.

The primary goal of the foundation is to provide scholarships to young adults who are in recovery, committed to long-term sobriety and want to begin or continue their educations.

Since 2015, the non-profit has provided more than $250,000 in scholarships and educational grants to adults in St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

The Mark Garwood SHARE Foundation also supports Phoenix House, a women’s recovery residence; Bridge House, a transitional facility providing bed and board for men in recovery with no means of support; and Clean Start Backpacks, which contain essential hygiene items distributed to individuals just entering recovery.

The 3rd Annual Racquets For Recovery Tennis and Pickleball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of January 28, 2023 at North River Shores Tennis Club.

https://mytreasurecoastnow.com/participants-had-a-ball-at-mark-garwood-share-foundation-event/